Two people were killed in a road traffic accident on the N25 at Larkin's Cross, near Barntown early on Wednesday afternoon.

Gardai said the man and woman - who are in their 40S - died when their car, which was travelling towards New Ross, was struck by a 4X4 which was travelling in the opposite direction on a straight stretch of road.

Gardai, who have appealed for witnesses to the 1.30 p.m. accident, , said the road will be closed in both directions for several hours and well into the evening while investigations are being carried out.

The accident is the most serious on the stretch of the N25 near Larkin's Cross since 2006, when a mother and her two young children were killed when their car was in collision with an articulated lorry.